First Images From Blackwater 2007 Incident

Blackwater

ABC News has obtained the first images of the controversial September 16 shooting involving Blackwater security forces, which resulted in Iraqi civilian deaths. The still images, taken at 11:50 that morning, show the car bomb explosion near a financial compound in western Baghdad that precipitated the incident.

At left, this image shows a Blackwater convoy escorting a State Department official to the financial compound, 11:50 am.

ABC

Blackwater

ABC News has obtained the first images of the controversial September 16 shooting involving Blackwater security forces, which resulted in Iraqi civilian deaths. The still images, taken at 11:50 that morning, show the car bomb explosion near a financial compound in western Baghdad that precipitated the incident.
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At left, this image shows a Blackwater convoy escorting a State Department official to the financial compound, 11:50 am.

ABC

Blackwater

The State Department official was visiting the compound when the bomb went off about 25 yards from the entrance to the financial compound at 11:50:58, shown at left in this image.

ABC

Blackwater

This image shows a black cloud of smoke following the initial explosion.
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At 11:53, the Chief of Mission reported a "Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Device" (VBIED) explosion. The Chief of Mission requests a tactical support team (TST). Ten minutes later, Blackwater security forces arrive at the compound to escort the official.

ABC

Blackwater

At 12:05, two convoys, the first shown in the image at left, escort the State Department motorcade.

ABC

Blackwater

This image shows the second Blackwater convoy, made up of heavier vehicles.

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Blackwater

This image shows the second convoy, which according to Blackwater, was attacked.

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Blackwater

Other photos obtained by ABC News depict the level of damage caused by the vehicle explosion, which precipitated the Blackwater shooting incident.

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Blackwater

This crater was caused by the vehicle explosion.

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Blackwater

Another image of the damage caused by the vehicle explosion.

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Blackwater

A scene of disarray and destruction after the vehicle explosion.

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Blackwater

An aerial image of the traffic circle, where the shooting incident occurred. The blue rectangles indicate the Blackwater vehicles. Also depicted is the white sedan, which Blackwater says aggressively approached the convoy.

ABC

Blackwater

An image of a Blackwater vehicle that was allegedly fired on by Iraqi gunmen, according to a Blackwater account of the incident.
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